20 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1903 



On this Southern plateau there are traces of outworks 

 connected with a fortified camp or town, situated 

 Pre = historic on the North-eastern peak of the hill, and 

 Fortress. overlooking the great valley of the Tweed. 



Indications of an ancient roadway, connecting 

 this easy pass from the South to the centre of Scotland, and 

 forming apparently a continuation of the Northumberland 

 Watling Street, have been traced on the side of the hill, 

 near which have been discovered remains suggestive of the 

 establishment of a Roman station ; and it may have been, 

 in view of the necessity of rendering this passage secure, 

 that such an apparently inconvenient and exposed position 

 was chosen for the planting of the Eildon hill-fort. Time did 

 not permit of the members examining the camp particularly; 

 but from an exhaustive paper on the subject, contributed to 

 the Society of Antiquaries,* by David Christison, Esq., M.D., 

 Hon. Secretary, may be learned the following facts. The 

 peak in question has a fairly level space on the top, with 

 several natural terraces, and accommodation for dwellings; and 

 commands a view of the valley of the Tweed, flowing 1150 

 feet below, as the river alters its course from East to West, 

 and winds round it, at a distance varying from a mile to a 

 mile and three-quarters from the summit. The lines of defence, 

 nearly a mile in length, encircle the hill, and are distinctly 

 visible at a distance. "In structure they consist for the most 

 part of three parallel terraces, constructed one above another on 

 the face of the hill, though the upper one required but little 

 making, as it generally runs where a steep slope eases off to 

 a gentle one, and in taking the edge of the North and South 

 plateaux it required no making at all. The width of the lower 

 terraces varies somewhat, but rarely exceeds 7 or 8 feet. Of 

 course these terraces do not constitute a defence in themselves, 

 and there can be little doubt that they were palisaded at the 

 edge, because there are no remains of earthen mounds, and, 

 indeed, there is no room for them : neither is there any debris 

 indicative of stone walls, and although many parts of the hill are 

 stouy, the stones are small, and unsuitable for building." The 

 space enclosed is circular in shape, as shown upon the Ordnance 



*Vol. xxvui., pp. 112-9. 



